A nurse and a patient at the University Hospital in North Staffordshire died after aquiring PVL earlier this week.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Dr McCartney said: "This is a toxin which kills white cells which are the natural defence mechanisms in the human body to infection. This particular strain of MRSA produces this toxin."

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"We had a case last year with a young marine who developed a necrotising pneumonia with this strain."

PVL is most often a community aquired infection, but proper hygiene practices could help prevent the spread of infection, Dr McCartney added.

Karen Jennings, the head of health at Unison has blamed improper cleaning practices at University Hospital for the spread of PVL.

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